Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A device for use in infusing medicinal fluid into a patient at a controlled rate comprising: (a) a housing having a rigid surface; (b) distendable means for forming, in conjunction with said rigid surface of said housing, a fluid reservoir having an inlet and an outlet, said distendable means comprising at least one distendable membrane at least a portion of which is movable within said housing from a first position to a second position; (c) heat expandable means disposed within said housing in proximity to said distendable membrane, said heat expandable means comprising a semi-solid, which, upon being heated, will act upon said distendable membrane to move said membrane toward said second position to cause fluid within said reservoir to flow outwardly of said outlet of said reservoir; and (d) infusion means in communication with said outlet of said reservoir for infusing fluid from said fluid reservoir into the patient.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
150 words
A device for use in infusing medicinal fluid into a patient at a controlled rate comprising: (a) a housing having a rigid surface; (b) distendable means for forming, in conjunction with said rigid surface of said housing, a fluid reservoir having an inlet and an outlet, said distendable means comprising at least one distendable membrane at least a portion of which is movable within said housing from a first position to a second position; (c) heat expandable means disposed within said housing in proximity to said distendable membrane, said heat expandable means comprising a semi-solid, which, upon being heated, will act upon said distendable membrane to move said membrane toward said second position to cause fluid within said reservoir to flow outwardly of said outlet of said reservoir; and (d) infusion means in communication with said outlet of said reservoir for infusing fluid from said fluid reservoir into the patient.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device as defined in claim 1 in which said heat expandable means comprises a heat expandable gel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device as defined in claim 1 in which said distendable membrane substantially conforms to said heat expandable means as said heat expandable means is heated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A device as defined in claim 1 in which said infusion means comprises a subcutaneous infusion device connected to and spaced apart from said housing for infusing fluid from said reservoir into said patient.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device as defined in claim 1 in which said housing includes fill means.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
293 words
A device for use in infusing medicinal fluid into a patient at a controlled rate comprising: (a) a housing having surface and a fluid flow channel, said housing comprising a base and a cover superimposed over said base; (b) distendable means for forming, in conjunction with said surface of said housing, a fluid reservoir having an outlet, said distendable means comprising at least one distendable membrane disposed between said cover and said base, at least a portion of said membrane being movable within said housing from a first position to a second position; (c) heat expandable means disposed within said housing in proximity with said distendable membrane, said heat expandable means, upon being heated, acting upon said distendable membrane to move said membrane toward said second position to cause fluid within said reservoir to flow outwardly of said outlet of said reservoir; (d) infusion means in communication with said outlet of said reservoir for infusing fluid from said fluid reservoir into the patient, said infusion means comprising a subcutaneous infusion device connected to and spaced apart from said housing for infusing fluid from said reservoir into said patient, said subcutaneous infusion device including a body having an internal chamber and a hollow cannula connected to said body, said hollow cannula including: (i) an inlet end portion; (ii) a central body portion in communication with said inlet end portion and disposed within said internal chamber for movement therewithin relative to said body; and (iii) an outlet end portion comprising a pierceable portion extending outwardly from said body for insertion into the patient; and (e) cannula encapsulation means for encapsulating and immovably constraining said inlet end portion of said hollow cannula within said body and for dynamically supporting said outlet end portion of said cannula.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
293 words
A device for use in infusing medicinal fluid into a patient at a controlled rate comprising: (a) a housing having surface and a fluid flow channel, said housing comprising a base and a cover superimposed over said base; (b) distendable means for forming, in conjunction with said surface of said housing, a fluid reservoir having an outlet, said distendable means comprising at least one distendable membrane disposed between said cover and said base, at least a portion of said membrane being movable within said housing from a first position to a second position; (c) heat expandable means disposed within said housing in proximity with said distendable membrane, said heat expandable means, upon being heated, acting upon said distendable membrane to move said membrane toward said second position to cause fluid within said reservoir to flow outwardly of said outlet of said reservoir; (d) infusion means in communication with said outlet of said reservoir for infusing fluid from said fluid reservoir into the patient, said infusion means comprising a subcutaneous infusion device connected to and spaced apart from said housing for infusing fluid from said reservoir into said patient, said subcutaneous infusion device including a body having an internal chamber and a hollow cannula connected to said body, said hollow cannula including: (i) an inlet end portion; (ii) a central body portion in communication with said inlet end portion and disposed within said internal chamber for movement therewithin relative to said body; and (iii) an outlet end portion comprising a pierceable portion extending outwardly from said body for insertion into the patient; and (e) cannula encapsulation means for encapsulating and immovably constraining said inlet end portion of said hollow cannula within said body and for dynamically supporting said outlet end portion of said cannula.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as defined in claim 6 in which said base and said subcutaneous infusion device are connected together by an elongated fluid delivery tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device as defined in claim 6 in which said body of said subcutaneous infusion device includes a base and a cover connected to said base, said cover cooperating with said base to define said internal chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device as defined in claim 8 in which said subcutaneous delivery device further includes a cover assembly removably connected to said base for covering said outlet end portion of said cannula.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
243 words
A device for use in infusing medicinal fluid into a patient at a controlled rate comprising: (a) a housing having a socket and rigid surface; (b) distendable means for forming, in conjunction with said rigid surface of said housing, a fluid reservoir having an inlet and an outlet, said distendable means comprising at least one distendable membrane at least a portion of which is movable within said housing from a first position to a second position; (c) heat expandable means disposed within said housing between said rigid surface and said distendable membrane, said heat expandable means comprising a semi-solid, which, upon being heated, will act upon said distendable membrane to move said membrane toward said second position to cause fluid within said reservoir to flow outwardly of said outlet of said reservoir; (d) infusion means in communication with said outlet of said reservoir for infusing fluid from said fluid reservoir into the patient, said infusion means comprising a subcutaneous infusion device connected to and spaced apart from said housing for infusing fluid from said reservoir into said patient and including an elongated fill tube; (e) means for interconnecting said infusion means with said housing, said means comprising a quick connect mechanism for quickly interconnecting said fill tube with said housing, said quick connect mechanism comprising: (i) a hub at least partially receivable in said socket in said housing; and (ii) a yieldably deformable arm connected to said housing for releasably engaging said hub.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
243 words
A device for use in infusing medicinal fluid into a patient at a controlled rate comprising: (a) a housing having a socket and rigid surface; (b) distendable means for forming, in conjunction with said rigid surface of said housing, a fluid reservoir having an inlet and an outlet, said distendable means comprising at least one distendable membrane at least a portion of which is movable within said housing from a first position to a second position; (c) heat expandable means disposed within said housing between said rigid surface and said distendable membrane, said heat expandable means comprising a semi-solid, which, upon being heated, will act upon said distendable membrane to move said membrane toward said second position to cause fluid within said reservoir to flow outwardly of said outlet of said reservoir; (d) infusion means in communication with said outlet of said reservoir for infusing fluid from said fluid reservoir into the patient, said infusion means comprising a subcutaneous infusion device connected to and spaced apart from said housing for infusing fluid from said reservoir into said patient and including an elongated fill tube; (e) means for interconnecting said infusion means with said housing, said means comprising a quick connect mechanism for quickly interconnecting said fill tube with said housing, said quick connect mechanism comprising: (i) a hub at least partially receivable in said socket in said housing; and (ii) a yieldably deformable arm connected to said housing for releasably engaging said hub.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
164 words
A device for use in infusing medicinal fluid into a patient at a controlled rate comprising: (a) a housing having surface and a fluid flow channel, said housing comprising a base and a cover superimposed over said base; (b) distendable means for forming, in conjunction with said surface of said housing, a fluid reservoir having an outlet, said distendable means comprising at least one distendable membrane disposed between said cover and said base, at least a portion of said membrane being movable within said housing from a first position to a second position; (c) heat expandable means disposed within said housing in proximity with said distendable membrane, said heat expandable means, upon being heated, acting upon said distendable membrane to move said membrane toward said second position to cause fluid within said reservoir to flow outwardly of said outlet of said reservoir; and (d) infusion means in communication with said outlet of said reservoir for infusing fluid from said fluid reservoir into the patient.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
164 words
A device for use in infusing medicinal fluid into a patient at a controlled rate comprising: (a) a housing having surface and a fluid flow channel, said housing comprising a base and a cover superimposed over said base; (b) distendable means for forming, in conjunction with said surface of said housing, a fluid reservoir having an outlet, said distendable means comprising at least one distendable membrane disposed between said cover and said base, at least a portion of said membrane being movable within said housing from a first position to a second position; (c) heat expandable means disposed within said housing in proximity with said distendable membrane, said heat expandable means, upon being heated, acting upon said distendable membrane to move said membrane toward said second position to cause fluid within said reservoir to flow outwardly of said outlet of said reservoir; and (d) infusion means in communication with said outlet of said reservoir for infusing fluid from said fluid reservoir into the patient.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device as defined in claim 11 further comprising flow control means in communication with said outlet of said reservoir for controlling fluid flow toward said infusion means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device as defined in claim 11 in which said distendable membrane substantially conforms to said heat expandable means as said heat expandable means is heated.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device as defined in claim 11 in which said cover includes a substantially concave surface, said distendable membrane cooperating with said concave surface to define said reservoir.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as defined in claim 11 in which said infusion means comprises a hollow cannula in communication with said outlet of said reservoir.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
53 words
A device as defined in claim 11 in which said infusion means comprises a subcutaneous infusion device connected to and spaced apart from said housing for infusing fluid from said reservoir into said patient, said subcutaneous infusion device including a body having an internal chamber and a hollow cannula connected to said body.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
63 words
A device as defined in claim 16 in which said hollow cannula includes: (a) an inlet end portion; (b) a central body portion in communication with said inlet end portion and disposed within said internal chamber for movement therewithin relative to said body; and (c) an outlet end portion comprising a pierceable portion extending outwardly from said body for insertion into the patient.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
165 words
A device for use in infusing medicinal fluid into a patient at a controlled rate comprising: (a) a housing having a rigid surface; (b) distendable means for forming, in conjunction with said rigid surface of said housing, a fluid reservoir having an inlet and an outlet, said distendable means comprising at least one distendable membrane at least a portion of which is movable within said housing from a first position to a second position; (c) a heat expandable gel disposed within said housing in proximity to said distendable membrane, said heat expandable gel, upon being heated, acting upon said distendable membrane to move said membrane toward said second position to cause fluid within said reservoir to flow outwardly of said outlet of said reservoir; and (d) fill means in communication with said inlet of said fluid reservoir for filling said reservoir with fluid; and (e) infusion means in communication with said outlet of said reservoir for infusing fluid from said fluid reservoir into the patient.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
165 words
A device for use in infusing medicinal fluid into a patient at a controlled rate comprising: (a) a housing having a rigid surface; (b) distendable means for forming, in conjunction with said rigid surface of said housing, a fluid reservoir having an inlet and an outlet, said distendable means comprising at least one distendable membrane at least a portion of which is movable within said housing from a first position to a second position; (c) a heat expandable gel disposed within said housing in proximity to said distendable membrane, said heat expandable gel, upon being heated, acting upon said distendable membrane to move said membrane toward said second position to cause fluid within said reservoir to flow outwardly of said outlet of said reservoir; and (d) fill means in communication with said inlet of said fluid reservoir for filling said reservoir with fluid; and (e) infusion means in communication with said outlet of said reservoir for infusing fluid from said fluid reservoir into the patient.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
A device as defined in claim 18 in which said infusion means comprises a subcutaneous infusion device connected to and spaced apart from said housing for infusing fluid from said reservoir into said patient.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device as defined in claim 18 in which said distendable membrane substantially conforms to said heat expandable gel as said heat expandable means is heated.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as defined in claim 18 in which said heat expandable gel comprises a phase-transition gel.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as defined in claim 18 in which said heat expandable gel comprises an ionized acrylaumide gel composition.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as defined in claim 18 in which heat expandable gel comprises an interpenetrating polymer network.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as defined in claim 18 in which said fill means comprises a pierceable septum carried by said housing.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
162 words
A device for use in infusing medicinal fluid into a patient at a controlled rate comprising: (a) a housing having a rigid surface; (b) distendable means for forming, in conjunction with said rigid surface of said housing, a fluid reservoir having an inlet and an outlet, said distendable means comprising at least one distendable membrane at least a portion of which is movable within said housing from a first position to a second position; (c) heat expandable means disposed within said housing between said rigid surface and said distendable membrane, said heat expandable means comprising a semi-solid, which, upon being heated, will act upon said distendable membrane to move said membrane toward said second position to cause fluid within said reservoir to flow outwardly of said outlet of said reservoir; (d) infusion means in communication with said outlet of said reservoir for infusing fluid from said fluid reservoir into the patient; and (e) means for interconnecting said infusion means with said housing.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
162 words
A device for use in infusing medicinal fluid into a patient at a controlled rate comprising: (a) a housing having a rigid surface; (b) distendable means for forming, in conjunction with said rigid surface of said housing, a fluid reservoir having an inlet and an outlet, said distendable means comprising at least one distendable membrane at least a portion of which is movable within said housing from a first position to a second position; (c) heat expandable means disposed within said housing between said rigid surface and said distendable membrane, said heat expandable means comprising a semi-solid, which, upon being heated, will act upon said distendable membrane to move said membrane toward said second position to cause fluid within said reservoir to flow outwardly of said outlet of said reservoir; (d) infusion means in communication with said outlet of said reservoir for infusing fluid from said fluid reservoir into the patient; and (e) means for interconnecting said infusion means with said housing.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device as defined in claim 25 in which said heat expandable means comprises a heat expandable gel.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as defined in claim 25 in which said heat expandable means comprises a composite of materials which expand at different rates overtime.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device as defined in claim 25 in which said heat expandable means comprises a phase-transition gel encapsulated wit a yieldably deformable covering.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device as defined in claim 25 further including first and second distendable membranes cooperatively associated with said expandable means, one of said membranes comprising a laminate construction.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as defined in claim 25 further including flow indicator means for indicating fluid flow from said reservoir.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as defined in claim 25 in which said infusion means comprises a septum mounted on said housing.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
34 words
A device as defined in claim 25 in which said infusion means comprises a subcutaneous infusion device connected to and spaced apart from said housing for infusing fluid from said reservoir into said patient.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
44 words
A device as defined in claim 32 in which said infusion means comprises an elongated fill tube and in which said means for interconnecting said infusion means with said housing comprises a quick connect mechanism for quickly interconnecting said fill tube with said housing.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
156 words
A device for use in infusing medicinal fluid into a patient at a controlled rate comprising: (a) a housing having a rigid surface; (b) distendable means for forming, in conjunction with said rigid surface of said housing, a fluid reservoir having an inlet and an outlet, said distendable means comprising at least one distendable membrane at least a portion of which is movable within said housing from a first position to a second position; (c) heat expandable means disposed within said housing between said rigid surface and said distendable membrane, said heat expandable means comprising a plurality of polymers each of which, upon being heated, will act upon said distendable membrane to move said membrane toward said second position to cause fluid within said reservoir to flow outwardly of said outlet of said reservoir; and (d) infusion means in communication with said outlet of said reservoir for infusing fluid from said fluid reservoir into the patient.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
156 words
A device for use in infusing medicinal fluid into a patient at a controlled rate comprising: (a) a housing having a rigid surface; (b) distendable means for forming, in conjunction with said rigid surface of said housing, a fluid reservoir having an inlet and an outlet, said distendable means comprising at least one distendable membrane at least a portion of which is movable within said housing from a first position to a second position; (c) heat expandable means disposed within said housing between said rigid surface and said distendable membrane, said heat expandable means comprising a plurality of polymers each of which, upon being heated, will act upon said distendable membrane to move said membrane toward said second position to cause fluid within said reservoir to flow outwardly of said outlet of said reservoir; and (d) infusion means in communication with said outlet of said reservoir for infusing fluid from said fluid reservoir into the patient.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device as defined in claim 34 in which said heat expandable means comprises a blend of said polymers which expand at different rates as a function of time.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device as defined in claim 34 in which said polymers comprises phase-transition gel.